Competitors to the E-Class include the BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS, Volvo S80, Cadillac CTS, and the Audi A6.[citation needed]
The 400E and 500E went into production on August 6, 1991, as 1992 models.
The 1994 E500 production ended on June 24, 1994.
Production of the 1995 E-Class W124 ended on May 23, 1995.
Production of the 1996 E-Class began on July 17, 1995.
Production of the 2002 E-Class ended on February 20, 2002.
Production of the 2003 E-Class began on May 13, 2002.
Through time the E-Class has been built in:
- RWD: Sindelfingen, Germany
- 1986-1995 Wagons: Bremen & Sindelfingen, Germany
- 500E/ E500/ E55 AMG: Zuffenhausen, Germany & Stuttgart, Germany
- 1993-????, 2005-present: Thailand (by Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co., Ltd.)
- 1995-present: Pune, India (for the Indian market) Joint-venture signed in 1994 with TELCO, India for manufacture of Mercedes Cars in India. First Indian made E220 bowed in 1995.
- 1996: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- 1998-present 4MATIC: Graz, Austria (by Magna Steyr)
- 2006-present: Pekan, Malaysia (by Malaysia Truck and Bus Sdn Bhd (MTB) of DRB-HICOM)
- 2006-present: Iran (by Top Khodro, a joint venture with Iran Khodro Diesel, for the Iranian market)
- 2006-present: Beijing, China (by Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive for the Chinese market)